The cost of entry to the US Open has drawn criticism from figures including billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Ackman objected to a grounds pass listed at $363, questioning how this aligns with the USTA's mission to promote tennis.
Mayor Mamdani responded to public concern by securing 1,000 discounted tickets for New York residents, priced at $100 each. These tickets saw significant demand, with more than 336,000 applications.
The tournament's resale marketplace has seen a $65 ticket, which does not guarantee a seat on any court, sell for over five times its original price. The USTA acknowledges receiving a portion of Ticketmaster's fees from verified resale transactions, though it declined to specify the percentage or annual revenue generated.
Craig Tiley, the USTA's new chief executive, described the "insatiable appetite" to attend the US Open as a "nice problem." He envisions the event becoming "the tennis Disneyland," with growth focusing on creating more experiences rather than solely increasing attendance.
Renovations at Arthur Ashe Stadium are eliminating approximately 3,500 moderately priced loge seats, while increasing courtside capacity by around 2,000. This shift is replacing mid-priced seats with more expensive options; old loge seats averaged $291 per session, while new non-club courtside seats average over $560, and hospitality seats exceed $2,300.
Between 2021 and 2024, the USTA's ticket revenue increased by 37%, from $151.7m to $208.5m. Over the same period, hospitality and service revenue more than doubled, rising from $41m to $83.3m, while broadcast revenue saw a slight decrease.